Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	$ (144,201)	$ (148,984)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	(9,343)	3,860
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities		(3,201)
Pension liability amortization and adjustment	54	50
Unrealized gains (losses) and amortization on cash flow hedges	140	153
Adoption of ASU No. 2016-01	(9,144)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	(18,293)	862
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	43	79
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(18,336)	783
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(162,537)	(148,201)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	539	917
Translation adjustment attributable to noncontrolling interest	(96)	49
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	443	966
Comprehensive income (loss)	(162,094)	(147,235)
Consolidating Adjustments
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	141,384	289,847
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	9,343	(3,853)
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities		3,201
Pension liability amortization and adjustment	(162)	(150)
Unrealized gains (losses) and amortization on cash flow hedges	(280)	(306)
Adoption of ASU No. 2016-01	9,144
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	18,045	(1,108)
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	(129)	(237)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	18,174	(871)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors	159,558	288,976
Comprehensive income (loss)	159,558	288,976
Parent Company | Reportable Legal Entities
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(144,201)	(148,984)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	(9,343)	3,860
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities		(3,201)
Pension liability amortization and adjustment	54	50
Unrealized gains (losses) and amortization on cash flow hedges	140	153
Adoption of ASU No. 2016-01	(9,144)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	(18,293)	862
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	43	79
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(18,336)	783
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(162,537)	(148,201)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(162,537)	(148,201)
Guarantor Subsidiaries | Reportable Legal Entities
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(26,525)	(96,239)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors		(7)
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities
Pension liability amortization and adjustment	54	50
Unrealized gains (losses) and amortization on cash flow hedges	140	153
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	194	196
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	43	79
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	151	117
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(26,374)	(96,122)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(26,374)	(96,122)
Other Subsidiaries (Non-Guarantors) | Reportable Legal Entities
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Net income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(114,859)	(193,608)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Translation adjustment attributable to Nabors	(9,343)	3,860
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities		(3,201)
Pension liability amortization and adjustment	108	100
Unrealized gains (losses) and amortization on cash flow hedges	140	153
Adoption of ASU No. 2016-01	(9,144)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	(18,239)	912
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	86	158
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(18,325)	754
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Nabors	(133,184)	(192,854)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	539	917
Translation adjustment attributable to noncontrolling interest	(96)	49
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	443	966
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ (132,741)	$ (191,888)